>> susan sounds like president obama, who says he was a hopeless optimist. >> i think that was a compliment. >> and that's what susan sounds like, unfortunately, the numbers don't back up what you say. look, most economists think that consumer spending needs to grow 3% year it year in order to stimulate employment. at the end of the third quarter, we're right about 3%. most people, even in the retail industry, think the fourth quarter is going to be lousy. now, maybe we get this mirror ball spree buying that susan thin we're going to get, i don't think so. if it's less than 3% year to year, which it probably will be. i see a very flat economy, if not unemployment goes back up. >> brenda: okay. jonas, what's your view on spending and what it means to the economy, if we go over the cliff, taxpayers will have less money in their pockets. >> right, which is why it's strange they're spending less than they're supposed to. and right now, never had it so good in the taxes in effect and-- >> for another week. the. >> the problem ty know it's going to get worse. retailer stocks were doing well, bett